patient with heart failure current vital signs case report answer

Heart failure is commonly characterized by typical signs of fluid retention with symptoms of breathlessness, fatigue, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, and reduced exercise tolerance39. CCF is a common disease which affects approximately 1-2% of the general population in developed countries1.

Full Answer

What is the case report for congestive heart failure?

CASE REPORT: Congestive Heart Failure? History: A 72-year-old male with a history of ESRD, CHF and DM presents to the hospital with 6 weeks of slowly progressive leg edema and 3 weeks of SOB/DOE that has become much worse over the past 24 hours and is associated with a new cough.

What are the signs and symptoms of heart failure?

Heart failure is commonly characterized by typical signs of fluid retention with symptoms of breathlessness, fatigue, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, and reduced exercise tolerance39. CCF is a common disease which affects approximately 1-2% of the general population in developed countries1.

Can ECG detect heart failure in breathless patients?

Whereas in stable patients clinical identification or grading of the severity of heart failure is unreliable [1], recent studies suggest that in acute heart failure clinical diagnosis is much more secure [2]. Any abnormality of the ECG in a breathless patient is supportive evidence for a cardiac cause of dyspnoea.

How is the severity of heart failure classified?

The severity of heart failure can be classified according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification system. This system consists of four classes which relate patient’s symptoms to physical activities and quality of life.

Why is Martha at risk of fluid overload?

Due to her cardiac failure, Martha is at risk of fluid overloadTo ensure that Martha receives adequate fluids and nutritionTo prevent complications of dehydrationTo ensure that there is effective communication within the multidisciplinary team.

What is Martha's tachycardic?

Martha is tachycardic and attached to a cardiac monitor which is showing atrial fibrillation between 110 and 115 bpm. Urinary output is greater than 70 mL/hour. Martha is very distressed but knows where she is and why. She is unable to eat or drink at the moment due to her breathlessness. She is a life-long smoker.

How old is Martha from A&E?

Martha is a 60-year-old lady who is admitted to accident and emergency (A&E) with breathlessness – her respiratory rate is 40 per minute and her oxygen saturation is 89%. On admission, her pulse is 175 beats per minute (bpm) and irregular. Her blood pressure is 90/50 mmHg. Martha is put on high-flow oxygen, a continuous cardiac monitor, hourly observation of vital signs and an intravenous cannula is inserted. Martha is administered intravenous digoxin and furosemide in A&E and is catheterised to enable accurate fluid balance. Martha is married with three grown-up children and smokes 20 cigarettes a day. Martha is then transferred to a medical ward with a cardiac specialty.

Is Martha on oxygen?

Martha is breathless and on oxygen therapy 35% via the mask. She has peripheral oedema and is fluid overloaded. Furosemide is being administered intravenously. She is on stage 2 (see Fig. 13.1) of the heart failure care plan but is not receiving glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) due to hypotension.

When were inotropic agents used in heart failure?

The use of inotropic agents in heart failure has encountered many problems. In the 1980s and early 1990s many agents were developed with effects on the heart and vascular tree combining a central inotropic stimulus with peripheral arterial vasodilatation.

Is cardiomegaly supportive of heart failure?

Radiological cardiomegaly is also supportive of a diagnosis of heart failure [4]. This is not the case for more subtle radiological signs, even in the hands of experienced radiological staff [5] where the clinical context can significantly affect the interpretation.

Can ACE inhibitors help with left ventricular dysfunction?

Long-term therapeutic issues. ACE inhibitorsIt is now clear that patients with either symptomatic or asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction benefit from ACE inhibitor drugs. Morbidity is reduced with symptomatic improvement, improved exercise duration and improved quality of life indices.